Indie Music Channel Awards

1957

The Troubadour opens.

1968

June 4
Joni Mitchell makes her Los Angeles debut.

September
Comedian Richard Pryor records his live debut album.

September
Gordon Lightfoot US debut

1969

June
Neil Young plays his debut solo show in LA.

July
James Taylor makes his solo debut.

1970

- Cheech and Chong are discovered by Lou Adler at a Monday Hoot Night.

- The Eagles’ Don Henley and Glenn Frey meet in the front bar.

- Elton John makes his U.S. debut, introduced by Neil Diamond.

- September 4
After playing the LA Forum, Led Zeppelin appear with Fairport Convention at the Troubadour and play an almost three hour jam session.

- November 24-29
James Taylor plays “You’ve got a Friend” for the first time. He heard his piano player (as well as opening act) , Carole King, play it during during soundcheck and they decided to give it a try.

1971

- Waylon Jennings performs in the cult classic film Cisco Pike.

- April 6
Carly Simon, opening for Cat Stevens, meets James Taylor for the first time. They later marry.

1972

- Billy Joel makes his LA debut as the opening act for Ballin’ Jack

- Donny Hathaway records his “Live” LP at the Troubadour

1973

- The Pointer Sisters make their debut performance.

1974

- January 30
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band closed the hyped Columbia Records showcase week with a 90 minute set…that starts at 2 in the morning!

- August 25
Elton John plays benefit show to raise money for UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute.

1975

-January 17-19
Miles Davis records the album “Live at the Troubadour”.

- August 25
Elton John returns to play a “5 year anniversary show”

- November 6-8
Willie Nelson performs his new album “Red Headed Stranger” for a live radio broadcast.

1978

- November
The Knack, who were then unsigned, headline with special guests Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Stephen Stills, and Ray Manzarek.

1982

- August 18
Metallica make their Los Angeles headline debut.

1985

- June 6
Guns N Roses debut of the classic “Appetite for Destruction” line-up

1986

- February 28
Guns N Roses play the show that gets them signed to Geffen.

1991

- March 10
Pearl Jam (formerly Mookie Blaylock) perform for the first time under their new name.

1996

- September 10
Fiona Apple performs her first live U.S. gig.

1999

- May 22
Johnny Cash does one of his last performances with his wife June Carter Cash.

2002

March 7
Dave Grohl, playing as a drummer, makes his first live appearance with Queens of the Stone Age.

2005

- March 11
Coldplay perform a secret show, debuting five songs from their third album, X&Y.

2010

- August 20
John Legend and the Roots make their live LA debut of their
first collaboration record together entitled, ‘Wake Up’.

2011

- February 12
Dierks Bentley plays a special pre-grammy show with special guests Lady Antebellum,
Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown and Blake Shelton, as well as the Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach,
Paramore’s Hayley Williams and ‘Country Strong’ actor Garrett Hedlund.

- February 14
Comedian David Chappelle stops by for a secret Valentine’s Day set.

- May 11
Prince plays 2 surprise shows in one night a midst his ’21 night stand’ in LA.

- November 16
Vince Gill returns to the Troubadour 35 years after being discovered here by
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell.

2012

- January 25
Alabama Shakes Play their LA debut show.

- January 30
Ringo Starr is joined on stage by Joe Walsh and Don Was for his record release show of “Ringo 2012”.

2013

- April 26
Depeche Mode make their Troubadour debut performing a 10 song set including their song
“But Not Tonight” which hadn’t been played live since 1986.

- September 3
Nine Inch Nails make their Troubadour debut performing a 21 song set to celebrate the
release of their new album “Hesitation Marks.”November 24

- Sam Smith makes his Los Angeles debut with two sold out shows.

2015

- February 20
Sam Hunt plays his first headlining show in Los Angeles

- March 9
Imagine Dragons returns to Troubadour on their first stop of their Destination Dragons tour.

- April 2
Dwight Yoakam joins Billy Joe Shaver on stage.

- August 19
Mumford and Sons return for a midnight show and bring specials guests Tom Morello,
Mark Hoppus and T Bone Burnett on stage to perform with them.

2016

- Bonnie Raitt, Eagles/Frey collaborator Jack Tempchin, Lee Ann Womack,
the Civil Wars’ John Paul White, Brandi Carlile and Jack Ingram all perform
at Americana’s Pre-Grammy Salute to Glenn Frey, who passed away January 18.February 17

- Guns N’ Roses “classic” lineup reunites for a surprise show marking the first time since 1993
that Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagen have performed together on stage.April 25

- Alicia Keys plays an intimate show unveiling tracks from her new album
and playing favorites like “Fallin'” and “No One.”

- OneRepublic return to the Troubadour in support of their new album “Oh My My.”

2017